Best foundation/concealer/powder for spotty skin?

[controlpantsandgladrags]

I've been plagued by acne on and off for over 15 years (pcos) . I'm now 30 and my skin is a mix of smallish red spots and purple scars from where spots have been (mainly on my chin/jaw line).

Can anyone recommend a foundation which gives really good coverage? I want something that will stay on and do a good job of hiding my many imperfections. Also a concealer and a pressed powder that won't disappear half an hour after I've put it on.

I'm currently using Max Factor Lasting Performance foundation and L'Oreal True Match pressed powder if that helps.

I'm willing to spend what it takes really. Sick of feeling too embarassed to talk to people

prescriptives very good for thick foundations, and i've always found their salespeople v helpful in choosing right one from the range.

mac studio fix powder is brilliant, it's very thick and is almost a foundation in itself, expensive but lasts for ages

I really think that mineral foundation works wonders for acne prone skin. I used to suffer with moderate acne and used the Everyday Minerals Original Glo base, which is medium to full coverage.

I found that it gave good coverage but also helped with clearing up my skin (I used to use Revlon Colorstay, which is also good coverage but seemed to clog pores and cause more spots).

I know that you didn't ask for advice on acne and that it may not work for acne caused by PCOS but I found that lemon juice totally transformed my skin and prevented new acne while fading scars. Have a look at the reviews on Make up alley if you're interested - I'm evangelical about it as an acne cure!

look at lisa eldridge's video on how to cover up spots
she's brilliant
here

Your skin sounds like mine and the two favorites I have for coverage at the moment are Lancome Teint Idole Ultra or MAC Studio Sculpt. Although try not to be tempted to wear heavy cover all over the face if you can avoid it. On days when the spots are more sparse I go for a lighter coverage and just use concealer on my spots.

Ladysanders MAC Studiofix Powder isn't almost a foundation, it is a foundation

Revlon Colorstay (the oil-free one for normal/dry skin) was the only one that both gave good coverage and matched my very pale skin tone. Right now, I find it too drying. But perhaps worth a try.

Definitely mineral makeup. I'm sure it actually improved my skin as well (I have PCOS too). I've tried a few and the best one for me is Urban Decay (order online from Boots). I found the Loreal one fairly good too if you want something cheaper to give it a go. You can get the amount of coverage you need by doing another layer if necessary, its easy to blend and most importantly I don't need to touch it up during the day! I know I sound like an infomercial but I have found it really really great.

I second mineral make up. I have been using it for years and rarely get a spot now (used to suffer from acne as a teenager and still got outbreaks as an adult). I recommend Lilylolo or, if you can afford it, Bare Escentuals.
If you can get to a Bare Escentuals counter or shop and get someone to show you how to do it, even better. It's a bit of a knack but once you've got the hang of it it's really easy. You can build up coverage easily so you can cover spots and scars. And honestly, you'll find it helps to clear your skin up rather than making the problem worse.

Hi

I don't suffer from pcos myself but I do suffer from rosacea and am now pregnant so get a few hormonal (nasty big) spots too.

I know you're asking about makeup but just wanted to ask if you've tried Finacea (prescription from GP for acne or rosacea)?? Its the only medication which has had any effect on my redness, even powerful antibiotics had no effects at all.

It was recommended by dermatologist who told me it was invented for acne but good for rosacea redness too.

I have had to stop using liquid foundations as they were irritating the rosacea and made it flame red (as most do moisturisers and cleansers).

I have tried a large variety of mineral makeup and found that most of the high st ones contain lots of additives and in particular bismuth oxychloride which makes my skin very very shiny (not a good look) and unnatural looking. And makes me itch.

I tried Elizabeth Arden, Origins, MAC, L'Oreal, Philosophy, Urban Decay various Boots brands, Bare Escentuals and many more. They all make me ridiculously shiny and the other additives gave me spots (when not pregnant and hormonal).

I have found quite a few mineral makeup brands online which do not contain bismuth oxychloride and give a much better finish without irritation or additional spots.

Some of them have less effective coverage than others.

I didn't like Jane Iredale - too chalky or my redness would show thru.

Inika was very good on coverage but it couldn't get a shade to quite match me which was a real shame as it was good.

Barefaced Beauty was excellent for coverage, no redness visible. But for some reason it didn't seem as finely milled as others so was easy to get a good finish. Perhaps that was just my skin though.

LilyLolo is great and I have used for a long time. Coverage is good but I need concealer. Only issue I find is that the paler shades I need to use in the winter don't quite match but if I mix two shades together (its easy and cheap so not a massive issue) I do get it right and it looks great all day. You can apply with flocked sponge and coverage is better and smoother finish (for me at least).

Elemental Beauty is one I am currently trying and I have only been using for a week. It was recommended by a friend. So far really fab. Excellent coverage and goes on smoothly (takes less than 2 mins to apply and face sorted IYSWIM). Good concealer too but not necessary even on the very red blotchy bits.
Also reasonably priced too.

HTH

Estee Lauder Double Wear wins hands down for coverage. And it stays on ALL DAY. They have a concealor too. Amazing stuff

Thanks so much for all taking the time to reply

I'll definitely investigate all the products mentioned and the websites too.

Thanks for the finacea tip skandi1.......I've never heard of it but will certainly mention it to my GP. I'm taking antibiotics at the moment and also use Zineryt. I was using panoxyl gel for a little while, but unfortunately even a small amount of benzoyl peroxide makes my skin burn off!

Lemon juice is a new one on me too......but how fantastic if it works......who needs to spend hundreds on expensive potions, eh?

controlpants (fab name btw)

You should be able to get it from GP as it was invented for acne. For rosacea its whats known as an "off label" use and I had the get the first prescription from dermatologist (NHS one).

I can't use it at the mo as am pregnant but as soon as DC2 comes and I am done BFing, I will be straight back on it.

I do have a friend with pcos and I just texted her. I wanted to ask her as her skin is miles better than it was.

She does a low GI diet (bit over weight which maybe why it helped) as recommended by her GP and she found Dianette effective for keeping symptoms (hairness) at bay.

Thanks so much skandi1. I am kind of following a low GI diet and have lost almost a stone.....no improvement to symptoms yet but fingers crossed. I did used to take Dianette but I can't take it at the moment because my BMI is too high. I need to lose another stone or 2 to get it under 35. Congratulations on your pregnany

Laura Mercia - i LOVE that woman!